A Spring Sentiment: A Pride and Prejudice Novella Variation (Seasons of Serendipity Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

wishes, though I know I baited you almost past your patience last evening. What are your thoughts, sir?”
    Darcy couldn’t believe his ears. As he slowed his walk, Poseidon’s muzzle bumped into his back reminding him to march on. “We could start reading the banns here in Meryton. I’m sure Reverend Willoughby would do an admirable job.”
    Elizabeth frowned. “No, I cannot say I desire to be married from home.” Gritting his teeth, Darcy responded that clearly she did have wishes he was at a loss to postulate. “Truly I did not have a preference until you mentioned the possibility! But the idea of being married in the church where I grew up, where I was baptized, with my father out in the...”
    “Forgive me, I did not consider—” Darcy began as Elizabeth stubbornly swiped at tears that would not cease.
    “I’m afraid this maudlin mood appears far too often these days, and without my approval.” Elizabeth took a deep breath and blew it out. The tension in her neck and shoulders began to release. “Perhaps I was too hasty, William. I would like to see my mother settled and then we can return to London. My Aunt and Uncle Gardiner are most important to me. London would be the easiest ceremony for our families to attend. . .”
    Darcy raised an eyebrow at his beautiful future wife. “Are you certain you would like things to be unsettled until then? I can mount Poseidon as we speak and hie to London for a special license. At your command, of course, Elizabeth.”
    Laughing, Elizabeth shook her head. She stopped their progress and tentatively raised an arm to touch not Mr. Darcy, but Poseidon. The horse snorted into her gloved hand, but allowed her to stroke his muzzle. “As much as I know this gentleman would fancy a great gallop, I’m afraid I’m a bit partial to his rider. I do not think I could bear to be separated.” Her eyes looked up to meet his, and for a moment, the haunting loneliness they both carried was acknowledged.
    Poseidon’s whinny broke the spell and now coming up on Aunt Phillips’ home, they could hear the sounds of the rising Bennet family. A stable boy bounded up to take the reins of Poseidon and lead him away.
    Before they could walk in, Elizabeth held back. “I have a request, and I was wondering if you might be willing . . . that is . . .” Elizabeth nibbled on her bottom lip as she worried how he might take this solicitation given they were not yet married.
    “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, you need only ask. If it is within my power, I shall make it so.” Mr. Darcy said gallantly in his Master of Pemberley voice that she had once mistaken to mean he was so proud.
    “There is a maid employed at Netherfield, and with our future plans including travel to London and beyond, I would very much like her by my side.”
    Darcy smiled as he recalled the young maid at Netherfield, “Ah, Becky. Say no more; I believe that an excellent idea, and I will discuss the particulars with Bingley. As long as Miss Bingley does not become acquainted with the details, I do not anticipate a problem for the maid to travel with us to London.”
    Elizabeth sighed her relief and together they entered a home in a complete uproar. “Lizzie Bennet, there you are! Oh, good morning, Mr. Darcy!” Mrs. Bennet snapped at Elizabeth, but modulated her tone to greet her future son-in-law. “Lydia and Kitty are both ill. What a day for the girls to fall ill, when we are to view the two properties most graciously selected by Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley! Don’t those girls have more sense?”
    Elizabeth tried tempering her mother’s bluster, “Mama, I’m sure Lydia and Kitty do not mean to be ill.”
    Elizabeth and Darcy followed Mrs. Bennet to the table for breakfast. Elizabeth greeted her Aunt Phillips and invited Darcy to join them with a wave of her hand. Her mother hovered before taking the seat Mr. Darcy had readied for her. “The day is ruined. And I was so looking forward to viewing the properties. I suppose we